Be the Referee: Blindside Blocks
August 24, 2017
This week, "Be the Referee" with MHSAA assistant director Mark Uyl returns with the first of a three-part series on football rules changes for 2017, this one on blindside blocking.
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Blindside Blocks - Listen
We're going to start the new school year with a three-part series on football rule changes.
There may be no hit in football that generates more "ohs" and “ahs" than the blindside hit. It's also one of the most dangerous hits in the game.
The defensive player in pursuit of the runner, who does not have a reasonable opportunity to see the oncoming blocker, is considered defenseless. In keeping with putting player safety first, national rules now allow blocking from the blindside only when contact is initiated with the hands – achieving the same effect without all the contact.
That big blindside hit will now result in a 15-yard penalty and possible ejection from the game.
Next week, we'll look at changes to rules covering onside kicks.
Be the Referee: Pass Interference
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 2, 2021
This week, MHSAA officials coordinator Sam Davis explains the differences in high school pass interference rules from those at the college and pro levels.
Be The Referee is a series of short messages designed to help educate people on the rules of different sports, to help them better understand the art of officiating, and to recruit officials.
Below is this week's segment – Pass Interference – Listen
One of the big differences between high school football and the college or pro game is how pass interference is called.
In high school, there is no such thing as an “uncatchable” pass. If there is illegal contact by the defender while the ball is in the air, that’s pass interference, no matter where the pass ultimately ends up.
Also – in high school – a defender can “face guard” as long as no contact is made with the receiver. That is not pass interference, even if the defender does not look back for the ball.
Both of those interpretations differ from the college and pro game. Both (of those) levels have an uncatchable exception, and neither allows for face guarding.
Keep that in mind the next time you think you’ve spotted pass interference at the high school level.
Previous editions
Aug. 26: Protocols and Mechanics – Listen